Boston College Vs. Wake Forest: The Quest For Five Wins? And The Big Finish

Jeff: Boston College football enter the game tomorrow for the first time this season being able to say that they have a FBS win under their belts. Also, things look a little more promising against Wake Forest after Clemson cruised to victory in Winston-Salem last week including racing out to a 35-0 first half lead. Looking at the rest of BC's schedule, everyone other than undefeated Notre Dame is riding a losing streak. That leaves the question of -- while it is not likely -- what are BC's chances of getting to your preseason prediction of 5-7? And if they don't, what is the toughest remaining game other than Notre Dame?

Brian: The chances of BC getting to my preseason prediction of 5-7 are not good. The Eagles won't be favored in any of their remaining games so when you take the odds of winning just one more game and then multiply by the odds of winning three games in total, it's not pretty. I've got to think that the chances are less than 10 percent and maybe even less than 5.

That's not to say that it isn't impossible. As you suggest, every game with the exception of next weekend's Notre Dame game appears to be winnable.

Starting this weekend with Wake Forest, the Eagles are now only a 3-point road dog against the Demon Deacons -- a PK on a neutral site field. BC's chances aren't 50 percent or greater -- mostly because this is Spaz on the road against what would otherwise be an inferior opponent -- but they aren't all that bad either.

After Notre Dame, BC hosts Virginia Tech, who certainly hasn't been the same program that they've been over the Hokies' first eight years in the conference. I hate doing this as this is extremely shallow analysis, but take a look at the common opponents both BC and Virginia Tech have played so far this season:

Miami -- BC home loss 41-32, Virginia Tech road loss 30-12
Clemson -- BC home loss 45-31, Virginia Tech road loss 38-17
Georgia Tech -- BC road loss 37-17, Virginia Tech home win 20-17 OT

With the exception of the Georgia Tech game, the other two results are pretty similar. Virginia Tech has been a very middle-of-the-road opponent this season and given the shared opponents, it's probably not a stretch to say BC can be competitive with the Hokies -- particularly at home with VT's season all but over.

That leaves N.C. State, which in my opinion, is the toughest remaining game other than Notre Dame. It's not that I think N.C. State is appreciably better than Virginia Tech. This is more as a result of the location and the timing. I'm sure TOB would like nothing more than to end his season with a big win over his former employer, sending his long-time defensive coordinator out with a loss in his final game as Eagles head coach.

Big Finish

Brian: The AP writes that Wake Forest and BC are the "two worst teams in the ACC's Atlantic Division." How is Maryland, with just one win over an Atlantic Division opponent (Wake Forest), a win over Virginia from the Coastal Division and a loss to BC just last weekend, not included in this conversation?

Jeff: There are really four worst teams and all four teams you mentioned are those four.

Jeff: It sounds like the players almost forgot how to deal with life after winning a game. Any chance that has a negative effect on their Wake Forest preparation?

Brian: I don't think so. Shouldn't be a factor.

Brian: BC's Kieran Borcich has quickly rose up the depth chart at defensive end. Have you been impressed with his play so far this season?

Jeff: Impressed? It's hard to use the word impressed when referring to anyone on the defense this season but I am happy with some things I've seen from him.

Jeff: Not suprirsingly, HD predicts a 7 point loss for BC, but Maryland taking Georgia Tech to overtime??????? Explain.

Brian: She's probably counting on the nation's 4th ranked run defense to step up.

Brian: Heights Sports writes that first downs will be key for the Eagles offense vs. Wake Forest. Bigger down for BC -- first downs or third downs?

Jeff: I think they're basically saying we're going to be bad on third down so let's move the chains before we even get to third down or at least have third and very shorts.

Jeff: Colin Larmond, Jr. -- still suspended and no word yet on his return to games or even practice. Any chance we'll find out eventually why and understand?

Brian: Just another bizarre chapter in Boston College football under Spaz. Thankfully this will all be over in less than a month.

Brian: Last one. BC is selling "Not In Our House" t-shirts for next week's game against Notre Dame. Approve?

Jeff: Not really. They are too big of underdogs in that game to be making shirts like that.

Pick 5

Jeff (2-3 last week, 19-26 overall):

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-8.5) at Maryland Terrapins
Boston College Eagles (+3) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Penn St. Nittany Lions (-3.5) at Purdue Boilermakers
Oklahoma St. Cowboys at Kansas St. Wildcats (-9)
Vanderbilt Commodores (-6.5) at Kentucky Wildcats

Brian (2-3 last week, 22-23 overall):

Missouri Tigers at Florida Gators (-17)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Maryland Terrapins (+8.5)
Clemson Tigers (-12) at Duke Blue Devils
Texas Longhorns (+7) at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Arizona St. Sun Devils at Oregon St. Beavers (-3.5)

ATL (0-1 last week, 2-7 overall):